Workers’ Compensation Law

Hurt On The Job?

Charlie Burnette is experienced in all aspects of Workers’ Compensation law and can assist you with your Workers’ Compensation Claim. The following questions and answers will help you better understand the claims process for Workers’ Compensation cases.

What benefits should I receive if I am hurt on the job?

Workers’ Compensation laws are for the protection of you, the worker, should you be injured on the job. There are a number of benefits available to you in the event of injury. Your employer should provide you with reasonable medical care for your injury. If you are unable to work for an extended period of time due to your injury, you may be entitled to weekly workers’ compensation benefits to assist you while you are unable to work. Other benefits due to you may include mileage to and from the doctor, reimbursement to you for prescription expenses, and compensation for any permanent disability or disfigurement you may have suffered. Your injury is personal to you. Every case is different. In order to evaluate your injury and your rights, you may wish to contact Charlie Burnette to advise you of benefits to which you may be entitled.

What compensation should I receive for a specific injury?

As the victim of a work-related injury, you may have suffered a disability or disfigurement. Disability affects your ability to work and perform daily activities. Disfigurement is a serious scarring or cosmetic defect created by the injury. If you have suffered a permanent disability or serious disfigurement as a result of a work-related accident, you should be entitled to compensation from your employer or employer’s insurance company. The amount of compensation is based on the severity of the disability or disfigurement, the part or parts of your body that are affected, and your compensation rate. The compensation rate generally is based upon your average weekly wage preceding the injury. Charlie Burnette can explain to you how to evaluate your injury and to what compensation you may be entitled.

What is permanent disability?

An injured worker may suffer an injury on the job that will affect that worker for the rest of his or her life. Frequently, injuries require extensive medical treatment and surgery. There is nothing more important than your health. It always is hoped that you will recover fully from your injury. Unfortunately, many injuries result in problems for the worker that may restrict his or her ability to move and perform as well as before the injury occurred. This is what generally is called disability. A disability may be partial or total. It may affect a particular part of your body or your entire body. In order to understand your rights, you may wish to contact Charlie Burnette to help you evaluate your case.

When should I have an attorney help me in my Workers’ Compensation law claim?

Frequently, an injured worker will be released from the doctor with what is called an impairment rating. Doctors rate an injured worker based on medical considerations. Impairment is not always the same thing as disability. In fact, the same types of injury may result in more disability to one worker than another. For example, problems from the same back injury to a worker that must make a living doing heavy lifting may be far greater than to a worker with a desk job. You’re an individual with your own special qualities. Your degree of disability is a legal determination. Your doctor’s impairment rating is only one consideration in determining disability. This is a matter for the Workers’ Compensation Commission. Often Charlie Burnette can properly investigate, evaluate, and prepare your case for presentation to the Commission.

What if I don’t have the money to pay an attorney to handle my Workers’ Compensation claim?

No attorney may charge you a fee in a Workers’ Compensation law case unless it is approved by the Workers’ Compensation Commission. Your fee agreement with your attorney should be in writing and you should fully understand it. Frequently, attorneys will agree to handle your case on a percentage contingent fee basis. This means that the attorney will not charge you a fee unless results are produced in your favor. Again, this fee must be approved by the Commission. This type of fee arrangement gives you, the injured worker without funds to pay an attorney, the opportunity to have an attorney who will be your advocate to protect your rights. Charlie Burnette will handle your case with the same degree of skill and ethical integrity as if you had paid your attorney in advance.